Phoenix, Arizona

JUNE 5 - 15

Register
  • This trip is ideal for all ages, especially if you are interested in learning how to best serve our community.
  • Non-US-citizens will need to have their valid passport and visas to show at checkpoints
  • Team will lodge in a safe and secure hotel close to our serving areas.
  • Language: English
  • Logistics: Travel in church van
  • Maximum group size: 15 participants
  • Cost: 450 approx. (All expenses included: Transportation, hotel, baseball game, all meals)
  • Flexible payments options: a deposit of $50 will be due by Sunday, April 27th along with registration. Make installment payments as able. However, 50% of the trip cost ($225) is due by May 4th and the full payment ($450) by June 1st. We have sample letters for your personal fundraising.
  • We will have several prayer, planning, and training meetings and a fundraiser luncheon activity where you can participate. So please be on the alert.

Overview

As the state capital and largest city in Arizona, Phoenix struggles with problems like housing affordability, the condition of transportation infrastructure, homelessness. Likewise, mental health and substance abuse are major problems in healthcare. Besides, there are over half a million people facing hunger across the Valley. They include school children, working parents, seniors on fixed incomes and other struggling individuals. Their hardships are fundamentally tied to poverty, and poverty is rampant in Arizona.

Partners

For this year’s GO, SEE, SERVE & LEARN mission trip, we are partnering with:
St Vincent De Paul Ministries and Alhambra Beloved Community Church. St Vincent De Paul is a community outreach ministry that works to feed, clothe, house, and heal individuals and families in need and to bring authentic change and renewal in the Phoenix urban community.

Alhambra Beloved Community Church is a small congregation located around the Phoenix canals led by pastor Miguel and Gladys Perez, whose mission, in their own words, “truly starts with the heart. With a deep love of God, His people, and the city of Phoenix, our lead team sets the table with compassion, empathy, and the passion to see and serve the unseen in our communities.”

Neighborhood Ministries, a ministry that for over 40 years has been seeking to bring authentic change and renewal in the Phoenix urban community.

Serving alongside these three amazing ministries will help enhance our efforts to implement principles and values in Christian Community Development. We look forward to gleaning best practices that we can implement here at Grace Place, Church Under the Bridge, etc., and improve what we currently do.

What will you be doing?

We will GO and SEE:
St Vincent De Paul Ministries
Outreach programs:
  • Dining Rooms where individuals experiencing homelessness or food insecurity can come not only for a hot, nutritious meal and a smile, but to find supportive wrap-around services such as shelter, clothing, medical attention and food boxes for hungry families. 
  • Washington Street Shelter is a program serving unsheltered homeless individuals through intensive engagement, shelter, and services all oriented toward resolving homelessness and integrating people into a community.

Alhambra Beloved Community Church
Outreach programs:
  • Tables. Where members gather across the Valley to engage in intentional community living, meeting in homes, collaborate on service projects, and collectively attend monthly classes.
  • Starts With The Heart. Their outreach ministry feeding and loving on the marginalized, unhoused and those battling addiction that hangout around the canal area.

Neighborhood Ministries
Spiritual Development programs:
  • The Neighborhood Family Services, where they help provide families with basic needs like food and clothing, and care for member's emotional and spiritual needs. 
  • Nueva Esperanza, a ministry where they meet the basic needs of food and clothing, safety, education, and housing, for families through a Day Center.

We will SERVE in various activities such as:
  • Volunteer at St Vincent De Paul serving meals, setting up tables, greeting guests, plating food on a hot food line, waiting on tables, sorting, and giving out essential items to guests (hygiene kits, clothing, etc.), and clean up.
  • Worship with Alhambra Beloved Community Church on Sunday morning.
  • Worship with Neighborhood Ministries team each morning. Help prep lunch for crew summer leaders in training. Help prep for arts & crafts class with intern group & trainings for summer leaders.

So, we hope to LEARN best practices in how to best:
  • Serve individuals and families in our community by providing basics like food & clothing
  • Provide opportunities and programs for people of all ages in our community to encounter Jesus and to grow in their faith journey
  • There will be a Q&A time with the pastors, staff, and volunteers at the three locations to share ministry experiences and insights

We will have a FUN Time at an MLB on Monday the 9th Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Seattle Mariners.

Questions?

For further information or questions, please contact Edgardo Martinez at emartinez@fbcep.com